Multiracial Americans and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes presented the third season of the LOMA Film Festival on August 9, 2025. The Latinas & Latinos of Mixed Ancestry (LOMA) Film Festival shares stories of people that embody the intersection of Latinos and non-Latinos. Latino culture was built on the interaction between diverse communities from all over the world. This festival shares how this tradition continues creating a new diverse Latino community. This year we had an expanded program with an evening program and three afternoon blocks. Several hundred attended throughout the day with the chance to engage in conversation with filmmakers after screenings.
WHEN: August 9, 2025
WHERE: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free to the public.
See above for memories of our last season and see below for more information about the films screened. During our second season, the SAG-AFTRA en Espanol podcast was on-site at the festival to record interviews with our filmmakers and crew. To hear the podcast visit any of the links below:
TuneIn
Apple podcasts
Spotify
“Our hope is to inspire the Latinos of Mixed Ancestry community by showcasing our stories on screen, raising awareness of their unique presence, and emphasizing our shared experiences.”— Thomas Lopez, Founder of Latinos of Mixed Ancestry
“Knowing that LOMA represents Latinas and Latinos of “mixed ancestry” has really touched us, since Alessandro [director, Razon de Ser: Luis C. Garza] and I are both of mixed ancestry. The support and acknowledgment of diversity in our community is one to be celebrated.” -Heather Flores, Producer, Radium 88 Productions
“A wonderful festival! Truly “of, by and for” the community. … One of the best experiences we’ve had at a film festival!” – Roman Sanchez, filmmaker
“The LOMA Film Festival was an incredible experience. As my first film festival, I was so grateful that it was free for my family and friends to attend, making it accessible for everyone… it was clear that the festival is truly centered on community. ” – Inez Franco, filmmaker, 2025 Talent Award Winner
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a community hub where people gather to celebrate Latinx culture through transformative exhibitions, music, dance, culinary arts, and multigenerational artmaking and storytelling experiences. An anchor cultural institution in Los Angeles County, LA Plaza centers the Latino experience and provides a space to uplift, share, and preserve the stories of Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Latinx people in Southern California. Established in 2011, LA Plaza is a non-profit organization and a Smithsonian affiliate museum.
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Thank you, LA This Week, for producing this video:
FILM PROGRAM
The premiere program of the festival included an opening event with food vendors, red carpet, media, awards ceremony and question and answer with filmmakers after the screening. The films screened were:
Hullabaloo: The Curse of the Cheshire Cat by James Lopez
Dear Nancy, Sincerely Addy by Adriel Bernal
The Refugee: David Pena by Julia Elizabeth Mena
CCC: Conflicted Cuties of Color by Roman Sanchez and Mikayla Stanley
Last Words by Inez Franco
Della by Alessandro Gentile
For further information about the films CLICK HERE.
BLOCK 1: THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LOMA
This block presented films with a comedic approach to life. Question and answer with filmmakers followed the screening. The films screened were:
Rooster and Terry by Pablo Diaz De Leon Hicks
Who Gets the Girl? by Diego Alexander García-Taborga
Inland Empire by Renee J. Vaca
Love Stinks by Caleb Knowles, Kylie Klunder, Natalie Lall, and Ava Pinto
Miscast by Rodrigo Antonio Villaronga
For further information about the films CLICK HERE.
BLOCK 2: MONSTER AS METAPHOR
This block presented chilling stories acting as views on larger issues. Question and answer with filmmakers followed the screening. The films to be screened were:
Twilight Time by Marciel Delgado
The Ballad of Fred Fort by Bruno Mattos Rubeiz
White Gaze by ETA
For further information about the films CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATIONS
BLOCK 3: Director Showcase Alessandro Gentile
Doors open at 3:00 PM
Director Alessandro Gentile is making his second appearance in the LOMA Film Festival and has been a strong supporter of our cause. He has made numerous films of multiple themes and genres and yet still with a distinct style. This showcase will give an intimate look into the craft of filmmaking with a seasoned and successful professional. Come see some of his earlier work as well as sneak peeks at what is to come. The films to be screened are:
Boundless Borders (trailer)
All City Murals of L.A.: Road to the Olympics (trailer)
Lodo (2022)
Razon de Ser: Luis C. Garza (2023)
For further information about the films CLICK HERE.
EMCEE
The festival was emceed, and the question-and-answer session moderated by JUAN ESCOBEDO.
Juan Escobedo, a San Diego-born actor, photographer, and filmmaker, is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the unheard, the unseen, the survivors, and the forgotten through his artistry. His work passionately explores the lives of marginalized individuals affected by immigration status, gender, or race. In his 2022 documentary “Sobrevivir,” Escobedo sheds light on the harrowing experiences of women involuntarily sterilized in the 1970s at Los Angeles General Medical Center. This powerful film also chronicles the creation and installation of Phung Huynh’s sculpture, commissioned as an apology to these women.
Escobedo’s current project, “Las Promotoras Against Violence,” funded by the California Arts Council CA Creative Corps Fellowship, documents the inspiring efforts of women in East Los Angeles who support victims of domestic and sexual violence through peer-to-peer education. These resilient women, having overcome their own traumas, volunteer with various nonprofits to educate and empower their communities. The film weaves together interviews, art animation, and the traditional Oaxacan Dance of el Diablo, symbolizing the eternal balance of good and evil.
In addition to his impactful documentaries, Escobedo has garnered acclaim for his narrative work. His 2018 short film “Marisol,” which confronts the horrors of domestic violence and child abuse, earned accolades including Best Dramatic Short at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival and multiple Best Actress awards. In 2022, “Marisol” swept the San Diego Movie Awards, winning Best Director, Best Short Film, and Best Child Actress categories. Marisol was OSCAR qualified and the script acquired by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Margaret Herrick Library’s permanent collection for future research.
Juan Escobedo’s multifaceted career is a testament to his commitment to storytelling that challenges perspectives, fosters empathy, and champions social justice. His photography and filmmaking not only capture moments in time but also provoke thought and ignite change within communities and beyond.
For more visit: www.juanescobedo.com
IG @juanescobedo
FOOD VENDOR
El Diamante is a Dominican-rooted private chef + catering brand serving bold, soulful Dominican flavors across LA. From intimate dinners to major events, we bring culture, comfort, and sabor to every plate.
Instagram: @eldiamante_la
Website: www.Eldiamantelosangeles.com
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
I am so excited for this third season of the LOMA Film Festival. When we began this festival series, we were not sure how the community would respond or if we would even have an audience. We can now set those doubts aside as evidenced by our expanded program screening even more films.
This festival was created to remind people how integral the Latino community is with our larger society by highlighting the stories and talents of the people that embody this integration: Latinas and Latinos of Mixed Ancestry. Today, the mission of this festival is that much more vital. In a misguided effort to root out alleged crime the Latino community has come under attack. Not only are the tactics and consequences detrimental to our economy, but they are also fundamentally inhumane.
I am grateful to all those who have supported us on this journey. I thank those that participated on our judging and selection committee: Lisa, Delia, and Josef. I am thankful for those that advised us nearly a year ago. I thank Multiracial Americans for providing a place for this program. I especially thank LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and Leticia Rhi Buckley, Ximena Martin and all the staff for giving us a home again. And most of all I thank the community and the audience for without whom there would be no purpose for this festival.
Thomas Lopez, LOMA Film Festival coordinator and Founder
Thomas is a board member of Multiracial Americans of Southern California and has been an activist in the multiracial community for nearly thirty-five years.
SUPPORTERS
Elizabeth Liang (aka Lisa) is an actress, writer, producer, speaker, and facilitator. Her one-woman show, Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey, toured internationally and is now an award-winning film on DVD and streamable. She grew up in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Morocco, Egypt, and Connecticut as a Guatemalan-American business brat of Chinese-Irish-Spanish-French-German-Indigenous descent. She graduated from Wesleyan University. https://elizabethliang.com/HapaLis-Prods
Josef Manuel Liles is a board member of Somos El Poder, a fundraising institute that helps Latinx-led and/or Latinx-serving nonprofits build and grow their fundraising programs. He teaches courses on the fundamentals of prospect research. For more information on Somos El Poder, please visit https://www.somoselpoder.org/.